The Spontaneous Road Trip Through Michigan That Is The Perfect Weekend Of Adventure

Does a road trip need a concrete theme to be successful? I don't think it does. Sure, it's a lot of fun to go waterfall hunting or searching for the best finds and bargains on a thrift shop road trip, but does a road trip need a theme? We don't think so (although they are fun!).

I think adventure is enough of a theme, so I put together this spontaneous road trip through Michigan that'll take you on a grand adventure. The drive time is only 40 minutes but there are some epic stops along the way. You can follow the route on Google Maps, and add your own stops if you'd like. So, gas up your car or charge your EV and let's get started!

1. W.J. Beal Tree Plantation in Grayling, Michigan

We're kicking off our spontaneous Michigan adventure in the city of Grayling at the W.J. Beal Tree Plantation. This little-known site is home to the oldest documented tree plantation in North America. In 1888, Professor W.J. Beal planted 80 acres of land with more than 40 species of trees. This experiment aimed to showcase how trees and shrubs could successfully establish themselves in the dry, sandy soils of the area.

The 20-minute self-guided hike takes you through Professor Beal's experiment. The results were used to determine what species of trees to plant in order to successfully reforest destroyed areas. At this incredible park, you can see the early beginnings of Michigan conservation.

Only seven acres of the Professor's initial experiment remain, making for a low-effort hike. Perfect for the starting point for your spontaneous Michigan road trip. Open year-round, the W.J. Beal Tree Plantation is handicap accessible. Additionally, visitors will find benches in various locations along this short hike, making it a perfect spot to create some peaceful memories.

2. AuSable Artisan Village "Original Art Gallery" in Grayling. Michigan

Less than two miles up the road, you'll find our next stop in this spontaneous road trip in Michigan. At AuSable Artisan Village "Original Art Gallery", you'll be able to indulge your shopping side a bit. Featuring more than 40 Michigan artists, you're sure to find something unique here.

This non-profit art center in Michigan is housed in a once-vacant building that had been empty for more than a decade and is somewhat responsible for the revitalization of Grayling's downtown area. In addition to showcasing and selling the works of local artists in its gallery, Ausable Artisan Village features a live performance space, as well as spaces for classes and workshops.

Run almost entirely by volunteers, this arts center in Grayling sells a variety of work in a variety of different mediums — from paintings to sculptures and everything in between. Plus, visitors report that the prices are reasonable in relation to the quality of the art. Visit the AuSable Artisan Village website for upcoming classes, events, and more.

3. Grayling Fish Hatchery in Grayling, Michigan

Now, this next stop on our spontaneous road trip in Michigan is quite the swerve from the last one. Established in 1919, Grayling Fish Hatchery is a non-profit organization that teaches visitors about the historic site, the trout that thrive in Michigan streams, the environmental issues facing our region, and why Michigan’s stream trout fisheries are so important.

You might be wondering: What the heck am I supposed to do at a fish hatchery? Well, you can feed the thousands of trout on property, or hang out in the turtle sanctuary. You know, slow down a bit.

Additional activities at Grayling Fish Hatchery include visiting the Bug Spot, where you can learn all about the insects that make the hatchery their home. Kids can also fish in the kids' fishing pond! The thing I'm most excited about, though? The pollinator garden! You can find out more about this unique attraction in Michigan on the Grayling Fish Hatchery website.

4. Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, Michigan

For our fourth stop, we'll be visiting Hartwick Pines State Park, home to 49 acres of old-growth forest. Rumors suggest that it is one of the only old-growth forests left in the state.

The views at this State Park are incredible, overlooking the east branch of the AuSable River, in addition to some gorgeous timberlands and spring-fed lakes. About a quarter mile away, you'll find the Hartwick Pines Logging Museum.

Hartwick Pines State Park is excellent for hiking, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and, my favorite, birding. Bonus: This state park has a track chair available for use, allowing wheelchair users to adventure deeper into the park than they would have been able to. You'll love everything about Hartwick Pines, one of the most magical places in Michigan.

5. Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan

Our final stop on this spontaneous road trip in Michigan is one where you can spend some time unwinding from the rest of your journey. This one's for the golfers, y'all. Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan, is home to 81 holes of award-winning golf, including a fantastic par three course. We do recommend reservations if you plan to play 18 holes.

If you're just looking to end your Michigan road trip with a bite to eat, Treetops Resort in Gaylord is excellent for that as well. With seven different dining options, this is a wonderful spot to end your Michigan adventure. You can even spend the night at either The Treetops Inn or The Treetops Lodge.

I love road trips like this one, where you don't know exactly what's in store next. While it's fun to adventure to a theme, sometimes, it's even better to adventure for adventure's sake. If you decide to take this short, spontaneous road trip in Michigan, I'd love to hear about it! You may also want to take a look at some of our other curated road trips in Michigan — there's so much to see around the state, and a road trip is the best way to see a lot in a short amount of time!

Speaking of adventure, here's a creative way to document your road trip. We love it when we're left with something more than digital memories, you know?